WATER PROBLEMS

1. Third cup in the Horrock’s apparatus gives a blue colour when the indicator is added.
Calculate the quantity of bleaching powder required to disinfect a well 2 m in diameter and 5 m
in height. Give the steps of disinfection of the well.

Solution :
Given Data:
Diameter of the well (d) = 2 m
Depth of water in the well (h) = 5 m
Volume of water in well =  r2 h x 1000
= 3.14 X(d)2 X h X 1000
4
= 3.14 X 4 X 5 X 1000 = 15700 litres of water
4

In Horrock’s outfit 3rd cup shows blue colour.

 6 gm of bleaching powder is required to disinfect 455 ltr of water.
for 15700 ltrs of water →
15700 x 6

455
= 207.03 gm
 207 gm

Steps of Disinfection of the well:

• The required amount of bleaching powder for disinfecting well is placed in a bucket (Not more than
100 gm in one bucket).
• It should be made in to a thin paste.
• More water is added until the bucket is nearly 3/4th full.
• The contents are stirred well and allowed to sediment for 5 to 10 min when time settles down.
• The supernatant solution, which is Cl2 solution is transferred to another bucket and the chalk or lime is
discarded.
• The bucket containing Cl2 solution is lowered into the well some distance below water surface.
• The well water is agitated by moving the bucket violently both vertically and horizontally.
• This should be done several times so that the Cl2 solution mixes intimately with water inside the well.
Contact period of 1 hr is allowed before water is drawn for use

2. A circular well with a diameter of 2m and depth of 5m needs to be disinfected. The Horrock’s
apparatus test done on water sample gave the colour in 4th white cup
a) Calculate the dose of bleaching powder for disinfection of the well.
b) Enumerate the steps of well disinfection.

Solution:
a) Diameter of the well, d = 2m
Depth of the well, h =5m
3.14𝑋𝑑 2 𝑋 ℎ
Volume of the water in the well = 4
X1000
 3.14𝑋22 𝑋 5
= 4
X1000

=15.7 X 1000= 15700 Litres

According to Horrock’s apparatus water analysis 4th cup is showing blue colour thus
4 X 2g = 8g of bleaching powder is required to disinfect 455 ltrs of water.
455 = 8g

15700 = ?
= 15700X8/455 = 276.04gms
Therefore 276.04 gms of bleaching powder is required to disinfect this well.

b)Steps of well disinfection.

I. Measure the volume of water in the well by substituting the measured depth and diameter of the well
3.14𝑋𝑑 2 𝑋 ℎ
in the formula = X1000
4
II. Find the amount of bleaching powder required for disinfection using Horrock’s apparatus.
III. Dissolve the bleaching powder in water
IV. Delivery of chlorine solution into the well
V. Contact period. A contact period of one hour is allowed before the water is drawn for use.
VI. Orhto tolidine arsenite test

3. A rectangular water tank measuring 7 m.in Length, 3 m.in Breadth and 2 m in Depth is to be
disinfected. Horrock’s test shows blue colouration in 4th, 5th, 6th cups. Calculate the amount of
bleaching powder required to chlorinate the water tank. Give the steps of disinfection of the
Tank

Solution :
Given Data:
Length of the Tank (l) = 7 m
Breadth of the tank (b) = 3m
Depth of water in the tank (h) = 2 m

Volume of water in the well is give by,

Volume (liters) = l x b x h x 1000
= 7 x 3 x 2 x 1000
= 42000 ltrs
Since Horrock’s apparatus shows blue colour4th cup onwards. 8 gm of bleaching powder is required to
disinfect 455 ltrs of water.

For 42000 ltrs of water = 42000 x 8

= 738.46 gm 455
 738 gm.

Procedure of disinfection
• The required amount of bleaching powder for disinfecting tank is placed in a bucket (Not more than
100 gm in one bucket).
• It should be made in to a thin paste.
• More water is added until the bucket is nearly 3/4th full.
• The contents are stirred well and allowed to sediment for 5 to 10 min when time settles down.
• The supernatant solution, which is Cl2 solution is transferred to another bucket and the chalk or lime is
discarded.
• The bucket containing Cl2 solution is lowered into the well some distance below water surface.
• The tank water is agitated by moving the bucket violently both vertically and horizontally.
• This should be done several times so that the Cl2 solution mixes intimately with water inside the tank.
• Contact period of 1 hr is allowed before water is used.

4. Calculate the quantity of bleaching powder required to disinfect a circular well of 9 meters
diameters with 10 meters of water column with a bleaching powder of 33.33% available
chlorine so as to give a concentration of 2 ppm. Write in brief about OT Test.
Solution :
Volume of water = πd2h /4
=3.14x9x9x10/4
=635.85 cu m
= 6,35,850litres
1mg of BP of 33.3% in litres =1/3 ppm
3mg of BP of 33.3% in litres =1ppm
3x 2=6mg of BP of 33.3% in litres =2ppm
BP required -6,35,850x6 =3815100 = 3815.1g = 3.8151 kg

OT test:
Orthotoluidine test enables both free and combined chlorine in water to be determined
Reagent – analytical grade orthotoluidine dissolved in 10% solution of hydrochloride acid
PROCEDURE
Add 0.1 ml of the reagent to 1ml of water .When this reagent is added to water containing chlorine
it turns yellow and intensity of color varies with the concentration of gas. Yellow color is produced
by both free and combined chlorine residual.
OT reacts with free chlorine instantaneously but reacts more slowly with combined chlorine
The yellow colour produced is matched against suitable standards or colour discs. It is essential to
take the reading within 10 seconds after addition of reagent to estimates free chlorine in water
The color that is produced after a lapse is due to action of both free and combined chlorine

5.Calculate the amount of bleaching powder with 25% available chlorine required to disinfect a
swimming pool measuring 30 x 20 x 10 feet to bring a chlorine concentration of 2 ppm. Name
any five swimming pool borne diseases.
Solution :-
a)dimensions L – 30 ,B – 20 , H – 10 feet
volume of water lx b x h= 30 x 20 x 10cu feet
= 6000 cu feet
1 cu feet = 6.25 gallons aprox
1 cu ft = 6.22884 imperial gallon
6000 cu feet = 6.25 x 6000
1 imperial gallon = 4.54609 liters
= 37500 gallons
= 37500 x 4.55 = 1,70,625litres
1 mg of 25% in litre - ¼ ppm
4 mg of 25% in litres – 1ppm
4 x 2mg = 8 mg of 25% in lit = 2ppm
= 1,70,625 x 8 = 1365000mg = 1365 g = 1.365 kg
b) Swimming pool borne diseases
1) Conjunctivitis 4) Infection sore throat
2) Sinusitis 5) Athlete foot
3) Otitis media

6. A sample of water taken from a shallow draw well situated 8 m away from a cow shed was
examined, the results are as follows:
CHARACTERISTICS QUANTITY
Chlorides 500 mg/l
Nitrates 10mg/l
Nitrites 3mg/l
Free and saline ammonia 1.5mg/l
Coliform organisms 80/ 100 ml of water
Comment on the above results.

SOLUTION:
CHARACTERISTICS GIVEN VALUES RECOMMENDED INFERENCE
MAX LIMIT
Chlorides 500 mg/l 250 mg/l Not permissible
Nitrates 10mg/l 50 mg/l Permissible
Nitrites 3mg/l 3 mg/l Permissible
Free and saline ammonia 1.5mg/l 1.5mg/l Permissible
Coliform organisms 80/ 100 ml of water Must not be Not permissible
detectable in any
100 ml sample

In the given water sample, the chloride content is high and Nitrites and ammonia are in the max limit,
also coliform organisms are detectable ( 80/ 100 ml water sample ), thus the water from the respective
draw well is not potable.
7. In a preliminary survey undertaken in Jadigenahalli PHC area, it was observed that large
number of children are suffering from yellow color mottling of teeth and Genu valgum. The
water analysis showed that the fluoride content of the water is 2 ppm. List the measures that
can be undertaken to address this important public health problem.

SOLUTION:
The recommended level of fluorides in drinking water in India is expected as 0.5-0.8 mg per litre. The
major source of fluorine is drinking water and foods. The toxic manifestations of fluorosis comprise
dental fluorosis (>1.5mg/L), skeletal fluorosis (3-6mg/L or more) and genu valgum (seen among
people whose staple diet was sorghum- jowar).

Measures that can be undertaken to address this important public health problem.
(a) Changing the water source: Find a new source of drinking water with lower fluoride content (0.5
to 0.8 mg/L) if that is possible. Running surface water contains lower quantities of fluorides than
ground water sources such as wells.
(b) Chemical treatment: If the above is not possible, the water can be chemically defluoridated in a
water treatment plant, even though such treatment is moderately expensive. The National
Environmental Engineering Research lnstitute, Nagpur has developed a technique for removing
fluoride by chemical treatment. It is called Nalgonda technique for defluoridation of water. It involves
the addition of two chemicals (viz. lime and alum) in sequence followed by flocculation,
sedimentation and filtration.
(c) Other measures: Fluoride supplements should not be prescribed for children who drink
fluoridated water. The use of fluoride toothpaste in areas of endemic fluorosis is not recommended for
children up to 6 years of age.

8. Following is the report of analysis of a water sample from a well situated in the center of a
village used for drinking purpose.
Total dissolved solids : 400 mg/lt
Chloride : 260 mg/lt
Ammonia : 1.9 mg/lt
Nitrates : 40 mg/lt
Nitrites : 08 mg/lt
E.Coli : 10/100 ml
Comment on this report.
Write the procedure for sampling of water for chemical examination.

Solution :
Total Dissolved solvents - Should be < 600 mg/ litre for the water to have a good taste
Nitrates and Nitrites - Nitrates originate from decomposing organic matter indicating recent
pollution. Excess of nitrates result in Methaemoglobinemia. Nitrates are converted into nitrites which
indicates past contamination.
Normal range : Nitrites – 3 mg / lit, Nitrates – 50 mg/lit
Chlorides : Chlorides result from organic pollution and salts. If there is sudden increase in chlorides,
pollution of water should be suspected
Normal range : 100-300 mg/ltr
Ammonia : Ammonia in the environment originates from metabolic agricultural and industrial
processes. It is an indicator of possible bacterial, sewage and animal waste pollution
Normal Range: Below 0.2 mg/ litre
 E Coli - Coliforms are foreign to potable water and hence their presence in water is looked upon as
evidence of fecal contamination. Immediate investigative action must be taken if coliforms are
detected in drinking water.
Normal range of coliform – 0/100ml of water.
the given water sample is polluted probably with sewage and not fit for drinking.

Procedure of sampling of water:

• Samples for physical and chemical examination should be collected in a clean glass stoppered bottles
made of neutral glass of capacity 2litres ( Winchester Quart Bottles)
• Before collection rinse the bottle well three times with the water, filling it each time about 1/3rd full
• Then fill it with water, tie the stopper tightly down, with a piece of cloth over it and seal the string
• For bacteriological examination purposes , a 200-250 ml capacity bottle is used , a small quantity of
sodium thiosulphate ( 0.1 ml of 3.0% solution or a small crystal of the salt) is added
• If sample to be collected from tap, let the water run to waste for 2 minutes or the tap should be
sterilized by heating until it is unbearably hot to touch.
• Special precaution to be taken to clean the outside of the tap
• If samples to be collected from river, lake, reservoirs, wells then the point should not be too near to
bank or too far away from the point of draw
• A bottle with a string attached to the neck which is fully wrapped in paper and sterilized should be
used. A long clean string to be tied to the sterilized string and the bottle lowered into the water and
allowed to fill up. The bottle raised and the stopper with cover replaced.

9. Water sample from a well situated in a slum is sent for routine analysis to the public health
institute laboratory.

Turbidity : 10 NTU , Does not lather with soap

Fluoride : 2 mg/lt
E.Coli : present
Interpret & comment on this report.
Write the procedure for sampling of water for chemical examination.

Solution:
Turbidity: It is due to presence of inorganic particulate matter in ground water. It interferes with
disinfection and microbiological determination. Turbidity is high.
Normal range - < 5 NTU

Fluoride : It is present in earths crust, manufacture and use of phosphate fertilizers. It leads to dental
and skeletal flurosis. Fluoride content is high in water
Normal range : <1.5 mg/litre

E Coli - Coliforms are foreign to potable water and hence their presence in water is looked upon as
evidence of fecal contamination. Immediate investigative action must be taken if coliforms are
detected in drinking water.
Normal range of coliform – 0/100ml of water. m

the given water sample is polluted probably with sewage and has high content of fluoride, hence not
fit for drinking.
 Procedure of sampling of water:
• Samples for physical and chemical examination should be collected in a clean glass stoppered bottles
made of neutral glass of capacity 2litres ( Winchester Quart Bottles)
• Before collection rinse the bottle well three times with the water, filling it each time about 1/3rd full
• Then fill it with water, tie the stopper tightly down, with a piece of cloth over it and seal the string
• If sample to be collected from tap, let the water run to waste for 2 minutes or the tap should be
sterilized by heating until it is unbearably hot to touch.
• Special precaution to be taken to clean the outside of the tap
• If samples to be collected from river, lake, reservoirs, wells then the point should not be too near to
bank or too far away from the point of draw
• A bottle with a string attached to the neck which is fully wrapped in paper and sterilized should be
used. A long clean string to be tied to the sterilized string and the bottle lowered into the water and
allowed to fill up. The bottle raised and the stopper with cover replaced.

10. Interpret the significance of the following data on a sample of drinking water

MPN : 28/100 ML
Albuminoid ammonia : 3 PPM
Free & saline ammonia : 0.07 PPM
Nitrite : 6.5 PPM
Nitrate : traces
Write the procedure for sampling of water for chemical examination.

SOLUTION :
Free and Saline Ammonia : Produced on decomposition of organic matter, hence its presence
indicates organic or sewage pollution of recent origin
Normal Range: < 0.005 mg/litre
Albuminoid Ammonia It indicates presence of undecomposed organic matter. It is absent in
underground water.
Normal Range: <0.01mg/litre
It can compromise disinfection efficiency, results in nitrate formation in distribution systems and can
cause taste and odour problems.
Nitrates and Nitrites - Nitrates originate from decomposing organic matter indicating recent
pollution. Excess of nitrates result in Methaemoglobinemia. Nitrates are converted into nitrites which
indicates past contamination.
Normal range : Nitrites – 3 mg / lit, Nitrates – 50 mg/lit
MPN – Most probable Number of Coliforms in 100 ml of water. Coliforms are foreign to potable
water and hence their presence in water is looked upon as evidence of fecal contamination. Immediate
investigative action must be taken if coliforms are detected in drinking water.
• No sample should have E . Coli in 100 ml
• Not > 5% samples throughout the year should have coliforms in 100 ml
• No 2 consecutive samples should have coliform organisms in 100 ml
Normal range of coliform – 0/100ml of water.
the given water sample is polluted probably with sewage and not fit for drinking.
 Procedure of sampling of water:
• Samples for physical and chemical examination should be collected in a clean glass stoppered bottles
made of neutral glass of capacity 2litres ( Winchester Quart Bottles)
• Before collection rinse the bottle well three times with the water, filling it each time about 1/3rd full
• Then fill it with water, tie the stopper tightly down, with a piece of cloth over it and seal the string
• For bacteriological examination purposes , a 200-250 ml capacity bottle is used , a small quantity of
sodium thiosulphate ( 0.1 ml of 3.0% solution or a small crystal of the salt) is added
• If sample to be collected from tap, let the water run to waste for 2 minutes or the tap should be
sterilized by heating until it is unbearably hot to touch.
• Special precaution to be taken to clean the outside of the tap
• If samples to be collected from river, lake, reservoirs, wells then the point should not be too near to
bank or too far away from the point of draw
• A bottle with a string attached to the neck which is fully wrapped in paper and sterilized should be
used. A long clean string to be tied to the sterilized string and the bottle lowered into the water and
allowed to fill up. The bottle raised and the stopper with cover replaced.

11. A circular well with a diameter of 10 m and depth of water of 12m needs to be disinfected.
The Horrock’s test done on water sample gave the colour in 2nd white cup. Calculate dose of
bleaching powder for well disinfection.

Solution :
a) Diameter of the well, d = 10m
Depth of the well, h =12m
3.14𝑋𝑑 2 𝑋 ℎ
Volume of the water in the well = 4
X1000
3.14𝑋102 𝑋 12
= 4
X1000
=942 X 1000= 942000 Litres
According to Horrock’s apparatus water analysis 2nd cup is showing blue colour thus
2 X 2g = 4g of bleaching powder is required to disinfect 455 ltrs of water.
455 = 4g
942000 = ?
= 942000X4/455 = 8281.31gms
Therefore 8281.31 gms of bleaching powder is required to disinfect this well.

12. In a medical college hostel there is a rectangular tank measuring 6m in length, 8m in height
and 4m in breadth. Horrock’s test shows blue colouration of the 3rd cup. Calculate the amount
of bleaching powder required to disinfection this tank.
Solution:
Length of the well, l =6m
Breadth of the well, b = 4m
Height of the well, h =8m
Volume of the water in the tank =𝑙 𝑋 𝑏 𝑋 ℎ X 1000
=6 X 4 X 8 X 1000 =192000 litres
According to Horrock’s apparatus water analysis 3rd cup is showing blue colour thus
3 X 2g = 6g of bleaching powder is required to disinfect 455 ltrs of water.
455 = 6g
192000 = ?
= 192000X6/455 = 2531.86gms
Therefore 2531.86 gms of bleaching powder is required to disinfect the tank.
 13.Calculate the amount of bleaching powder required to disinfect a well measuring 1.0m.
Diameter and 2.5m depth/height of water. Horrock’s test shows blue colouration from 4 th cup
onwards. Give the steps of disinfection of the well

Solution :
Given Data:
Diameter of the well (d) = 1.0 m
Depth of water in the well (h) = 2.5 m

Volume of water in well =  r2 h x 1000

= 3.14 X(1)2 X 2.5 X 1000
4
= 3.14 X 1 X 2.5 X 1000
4
= 1962.5 litres of water
= 1963 litres of water

In Horrock’s outfit 4th cup shows blue colour.

8 gm of bleaching powder is required to disinfect 455 ltr of water.
for 1963 ltrs of water →
1963 x 8

455
= 34.51 gm
 35 gm
Steps of Disinfection of the well:
• The required amount of bleaching powder for disinfecting well is placed in a bucket (Not more than
100 gm in one bucket).
• It should be made in to a thin paste.
• More water is added until the bucket is nearly 3/4th full.
• The contents are stirred well and allowed to sediment for 5 to 10 min when time settles down.
• The supernatant solution, which is Cl2 solution is transferred to another bucket and the chalk or lime is
discarded.
• The bucket containing Cl2 solution is lowered into the well some distance below water surface.
• The well water is agitated by moving the bucket violently both vertically and horizontally.
• This should be done several times so that the Cl2 solution mixes intimately with water inside the well.
• Contact period of 1 hr is allowed before water is drawn for use.